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Review: Revenge of the Ninja (1983)
This year marked the return of many a film hero: Luke Skywalker, James Bond, Superman, and even Tony Manero. While playing a different role than the one where he was first seen, Sho Kosugi is among them. Though the name might not be aknown in many households, the martial artist/ actor stars in the follow-up to 1981s Enter the Ninja: Revenge of the Ninja.
In Japan, following an attack on his village by ninja warriors, Cho (Kosugi) takes the suggestion of his business associate Braden (Arthur Roberts) and relocates to the United States with his mother (Grace Oshita) and son Kane (Kosugi’s son Kane in his cinematic debut). Now in Los Angeles (despite being filmed in Salt Lake Cit, Utah), Cho runs a gallery with Braden where they sell pricey dolls.
At school Kane utilizes some of his martial arts savvy against the bullies, much to the disappointment of his father. For Cho it is a reminder of the nasties who had slain his wife. However, he does practice the ways of the ninja at home with son and sometimes Braden’s gorgeous assiatant Cathy (Ashley Ferrare).
Unbeknownst to Cho or Cathy, Braden has been trafficking heroin for the mob. Godfather Califano (Mario Gallo of Raging Bull) has grown tired of Braden. Califano’s decision to end his business with Braden results in termination for some soldiers in the mafioso’s army.
The police do not know what to make of the killings. One of the cops (Keith Vitali,, former World and US National Karate champion) contacts his buddy Cho for some information. L.A.’s finest want Cho’s help but he will not offer any as he fears involvement will only serve to reopen old wounds.
Cathy finds herself under Braden’s control and she captures Kane. Try as he might, like the reluctant gunfighter in many a western, the man from Japan realizes he can no longerhide the warrior he is and that he must resort to such methods. Those methods are also also employed by Braden and can only be matched not by a Jedi Knight, James Bond or Superman but Cho; as he says, “Only a ninja can stop a ninja.”
At a running time of 90 minutes, Cannon is looking to make quite a killing at the box office. Revenge of the Ninja may not be a great film but the fight sequences, which Kosugi coordinated are a sight to see. He also performed many of the onscreen stunts. Kosugi is a presence bound to give fellow martial artist movie star Chuck Norris some competition.
While it has been a decade since the passing of Bruce Lee, Kosugi might nver replace him but he gives it a go trying his best to become a star. If Arnold Schwarzengegger can achieve such status ther should be no reason to think such a feat is impossible for Kosugi.
Robert Baum is Currently a Bryn Mawr, PA-based film afficanado and pop culture junkie.
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